Matibag to Leviste: No one ordering me to conduct probe

MANILA, Philippines — Personal ties will not stop the National Bureau of Investigation from probing an alleged plot to fabricate a scandal against Executive Secretary Ralph Recto, NBI Director Melvin Matibag told Batangas Rep. Leandro Leviste.

After being accused by Leviste of “only following orders,” Matibag stressed that “no one is ordering me. My commitment is to the law and to the mandate of the NBI.”

Two witnesses had linked Leviste and Cabinet official Jacinto Paras to a scheme to discredit Recto.

Probers have yet to obtain evidence against Leviste, with Matibag noting that “the only evidence we have at this point is the testimony of two witnesses based on what they said Paras told them.”

Paras supposedly claimed Leviste financed a human trafficking operation to frame Recto.

Viber messages between Paras and a talent manager arrested on July 28 in the trafficking operation were recovered, Matibag said.

He urged Leviste and Paras to honor the subpoenas and present their side before the NBI.